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TYLER – Elite Lab Services, LLC of Tyler, and its owners, husband and wife Gerard and Suzanne Dengler, have agreed to pay the United States $3.75 million. This is for billing Medicare for tens of thousands of miles that were never driven by Elite Lab’s personnel. It all stems from a lawsuit filed by former Elite Lab employee Karen Malcolm under provisions of the False Claims Act. In her action, she alleged, among other things, that the defendants inflated mileage claims submitted to Medicare from approximately 2010 through 2014. Ms. Malcolm approached the couple in the spring of 2014 to voice her concerns about the billing practices. Ms. Malcolm claimed the fraudulent billing was not corrected, and she then resigned from the company. Continue reading East Texas Lab Agrees to Pay for False Medicare Claims

NEW YORK (AP/STAFF) — Medical laboratory operator Quest Diagnostics Inc., which has locations in East Texas, says a hack of an internet application on its network has exposed the personal health information of about 34,000 people. The Madison, New Jersey-based company says “an unauthorized third party” on November 26 gained access to customer information. That includes names, dates of birth, lab results and in some instances, telephone numbers. The stolen data did not include Social Security numbers, credit card accounts, insurance details or any other financial information. Quest Diagnostics has locations in Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, Lufkin, Sulphur Springs, Texarkana and Paris. Continue reading Quest Diagnostics Says Customer Accounts Hacked

LONGVIEW – A drug raid in Longview has resulted in the arrest of six persons. The arrests came as the Gregg County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit and the Longview SWAT Team served a narcotics search warrant. It was served at a house on Osborne Street. Officers found a large amount of narcotics including cocaine, Xanax, Hydrocodone, and Marijuana. Police also seized cash found inside the house. The six suspects were arrested without incident. They are facing a variety of drug charges or were arrested on outstanding warrants. Continue reading Six Arrested in Longview Drug Raid

QUITMAN – A Quitman mother will be going to prison for the deaths of her two young girls. After accepting a plea deal on lesser charges, Daphne Elizabeth McDaniels, 25, was sentenced Monday to 40 years in prison. She had been facing capital murder charges. She pleaded guilty to two counts of injury to a child with intent to cause serious bodily injury. She had been charged with the deaths of her 3 year old and 1 year old daughters in 2014. The autopsy showed they had internal bleeding, damaged organs and over two dozen cuts and bruises on their bodies. McDaniels former boy friend is also facing charges in the case.

MARSHALL – A survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor has died in Harrison County days after returning to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the attacks. Cecil Hollingshead died Sunday in his sleep at his home. He was 96. He was heading to breakfast that morning in 1941 when he saw the planes firing. When he went back last week, he saw the field where he took cover. One of his granddaughters, Tiffannee Watson, told the Marshall News Messenger, the visit “just brought back a lot of memories. When he was tucked in to bed (after getting back home) he passed away. I think he felt completed once he visited where it all began.” Funeral services for Hollingshead will be Friday afternoon at 3:00 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marshall.

KILGORE – Authorities have wrapped up their investigation into a Gregg County fire that left one woman dead and two persons injured. The fire was reported around noon on Friday just north of Kilgore on Rabbit Creek Drive. The victim has been identified as as Markeeta Ann Reagh, 58, of Kilgore. Two persons were hospitalized with what authorities called non-life threatening injuries. According to sheriff’s department spokesman Josh Tubb, the Gregg County Fire Marshal has completed the fire scene examination. The cause of the fire has been ruled accidental; however, the exact cause is undetermined due to the extent of damage. Gregg County Fire Marshal Mark Moore stresses, use wall outlets to run all appliances including space heaters while avoiding extension cords and power strips for this application.

TYLER – More Tyler gambling cases are being reported. Saturday morning, Tyler undercover investigators found five illegal gambling devices at the Valero Gas station at 3801 Chandler Highway. They also found three illegal gambling devices at the gas station on Loop 323 at Commerce Street. They have also announced the arrest of John Christopher Borgstedt, 38, Of Ben Wheeler. He has been accused of running an illegal gambling establishment at 829 Lindsey Lane. He was arrested as officers executed a search warrant. All three cases remain under investigation. Continue reading More Tyler Gambling Cases Announced

SMITH COUNTY- A second person has died from a Smith County accident earlier this month. The wreck occurred Saturday afternoon, December 3rd, on State Highway 31 about nine miles west of Kilgore. Killed the day of the accident was Mark Trippit, 56, of Kilgore. Monday morning, Jack Ward, 78, of Henderson, died at Tyler’s East Texas Medical Center. Two were injured in the wreck. The Department of Public Safety reports the accident occurred when an east bound Ford Expedition crossed into oncoming traffic, hitting a Chevrolet Traverse head-on.

TYLER – There will be no trial for former Smith County Judge Joel Baker. He has pleaded no contest to one of the three charges against him. In a plea deal, Baker pleaded no contest to one count of violating the state’s open meetings act. The other two counts will be dismissed. Baker has been fined $200 and will serve 30 days of deferred adjudication. The case stems from several executive session in 2014 in which the commissioners discussed the purchase of traffic cameras for county school zones. After community opposition to the program surfaced, the program was shelved. Continue reading Joel Baker Pleads No Contest to 1 of 3 Charges

LONGVIEW – The death of a Longview teen is being investigated as a homicide. The body of 18 year old Daxtan Dewayne Rashaad Castleberry was found shortly after 11:00 Saturday night. Police were responding to a welfare call when they found his body in a home on Plainview Street near the Fairway Drive intersection. Investigators say it appears as if he died from a gunshot wound. An autopsy was ordered. The death would be Longview’s 14th homicide of the year, the same number recorded last year.

KILGORE – Three persons are in custody, accused of stealing money and air fresheners from a Kilgore car wash. Officers responded to a report of a burglary in progress at the Finish Line Car Wash on Stone Road. They found two persons had broken into one of the coin dispensing buildings and were in the process of burglarizing the coin machines. Not only were they arrested, but so was a third man asleep in a car across the street from the car wash. Arrested were two Tyler residents, Christian Miramontes-Cardenas, 18, (pictured) Jose Serrato, 17 and Elizandro Penaloza, 19, of Henderson. Continue reading Three Busted For Kilgore Burglary

DALLAS — Family and friends said goodbye Friday to popular Dallas attorney Brian Loncar. Hundreds of mourners packed the Munger Place Church to honor the lawyer who touted himself in TV commercials as the strong arm. Those close to Loncar say he was more of a dedicated husband and father with generosity and humor. A close friend told the gathering he pictured him with his teenaged daughter Grace sitting with God. Loncar was found dead Sunday at his Dallas law office. The official cause of death is pending. Loncar’s firm has an office in Tyler.

TYLER – Here’s a look at work planned in TxDOT’s Tyler District during the Week of Dec. 12. The schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure, or other unforeseen issues. Slow down and pay attention when traveling through work zones.

Smith County – Tyler Maintenance plans to continue edge work on FM 2710 between FM 14 and FM 16, conduct base repairs on the Loop 323 Extension near US 271, and perform ditch maintenance around the county. Expect lane closures at both locations with flaggers providing traffic control. Continue reading TxDOT’s Weekly Roadwork Update

KILGORE — One person is dead, two others injured following a two-vehicle crash just before 1 a.m. Sunday on State Highway 31 West near the Gray Street intersection in KIlgore. Police say a Cadillac driven by Chaise McNeal, 26, was hit head-on by a GMC 1-ton pickup towing a livestock trailer, driven by Leonardo Rivera, 33. McNeal died at the scene. Rivera and his passenger, Andreas Gomez, 33, were taken to the hospital and treated for what are termed non-life-threatening injuries.

LONGVIEW — Longview police are investigating after the body of an 18-year-old was found just after 11 p.m. Saturday on Plainview Street near the Fairway Drive intersection. According to KETK, police say they and EMS were dispatched to a welfare check call at the residence. When they arrived they found the body of Daxtan Dewayne Rashaad Castleberry inside. At this time, the cause of death is unknown. His body has been sent for autopsy. Police ask anyone with information to contact them.

TYLER — A new exhibition is on display at The Tyler Museum of Art. According to a news release, Flora and Fauna highlights the unique plant and animal life of the Texas landscape from the perspective of 20 of the region’s most prominent contemporary artists. Featuring close to 30 works, the exhibition runs from Sunday, Dec. 11, through March 19, 2017. Admission is free. Continue reading Regional Artists, Landscapes in Focus with TMA’s Flora and Fauna

TYLER — One person is in police custody and another was hospitalized after a two-county chase ended in a three-car crash in Tyler. According to KETK, law officers say they were chasing a person who was reportedly driving a stolen vehicle. Tyler police say at around 10:30 Saturday night, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office pursued a vehicle into the city limits of Tyler on Old Jacksonville Highway. Officials say law officers briefly lost sight of the vehicle, which turned into the Knollwood subdivision. The pursuit continued a few minutes later when the vehicle was located in the neighborhood. At one point a Cherokee County deputy fired several shots at the suspect vehicle. Continue reading One Arrested, One Hospitalized after Chase Ends in Three-Car Crash

KILGORE – A fire in Gregg County around noon Friday has left one person dead and two injured. It was reported just north of Kilgore on Rabbit Creek Drive. The injured are said to be hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries. Names have not been released. The cause of the fire, which destroyed a mobile home, is under investigation. We’ll have more information when it becomes available.

TYLER – The winners have been announced in this year’s Christmas parade in Tyler. Hosted by three sponsoring clubs, Rotary Club of Tyler, South Tyler Rotary, and Sunrise Rotary, the parade was held December 1st. This year’s theme was Serving Humanity. Winners were selected in six categories.
*Best Holiday Theme- Hospitality ER
*Best Band- Tyler Junior College
*Brightest Entry- Martin Marietta (Concrete Truck)
*Spirit Award- John Tyler High School Marching Band
*Most Creative-Salvation Army
*Best Decorated Vehicle-Crystal Clear Insurance
Over 100 groups and more than 2,000 persons took part in this year’s parade.

DALLAS (Staff/AP) – A former city manager in Tyler did not make the cut in Dallas. Some had thought Mark McDaniel had the inside track to be city manager in Dallas. McDaniel is currently Dallas’ assistant city manager. But Friday morning, Mayor Mike Rawlings announced they had selected T.C. Broadnax to replace A.C. Gonzales for the post. Broadnax is currently the city manager in Tacoma, Washington. Before going there, he was assistant city manager in San Antonio. McDaniel was the Tyler City Manager from 2008 to 2014. He started his new job in Dallas on September 2nd, 2014. The five finalists met with city officials this week. The public got to meet them Tuesday night. Then, at Friday’s called council meeting, the city council’s decision was announced. Broadnax faces a final city council vote on Wednesday.

LONGVIEW – Two persons are in custody in a Longview robbery which, was in part, an inside job. The robbery was reported shortly before 8:15 Thursday night on Mobberly Avenue. Officers were quickly able to find the suspect, Aaron Lamone Lydia, 18, of Longview. He still had the cash, store bag, and a receipt with the “victim’s” name on it inside a backpack. After further investigation, officers said the clerk who was suppose to be the victim, actually played a part in the robbery. Also arrested was 18 year-old Tameron Trenell Howard of Longview. Continue reading Two Nabbed in Longview Robbery

LONGVIEW – Through city council action, ride-share is coming to Longview. The Longview City Council paved the way for ride-share by unanimously amending its taxicab ordinance. A company called Fare had asked to come into Longview. City spokesman Shawn Hara told the Longview News Journal that Fare also has made inquiries in Tyler. Longview’s amended ordinance requires ride-share companies to hire third-party firms to conduct background checks on drivers. Those checks will be randomly double-checked by the Longview Police Department.

LONGVIEW – A Longview man is arrested after police find more than candy in a candy bag. Corey Dion Chance, 39, was arrested by officers with the County Organized Drug Enforcement Unit. They were executing a search warrant at a room at the Palace Inn on East Marshall. In Chance’s room they found a bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. In the bag they found a quantity of methamphetamine. Chance was been charged with possession of a controlled substance and booked into the Gregg County Jail.

TYLER – Complaints are coming in to Tyler Police of illegal gaming in the city. On Monday, undercover officers seized five illegal gambling machines from the Texaco Station at Paluxy and the Loop. Tyler police spokesman Don Martin says gambling, promoting gambling, possession of gambling devices and keeping a gambling place are illegal in Texas. He said officers will be investigating other locations to determine if their conduct, related to machines, is illegal and in violation of state gambling laws. He said they prefer voluntary compliance with the law. But, if need be, Tyler police will take action to see that businesses are in compliance. That may mean arrest and referring cases to the Smith County District Attorney.

COFFEE CITY – A lone gunman has robbed the Dollar General store in Coffee City. It occurred around 8:00 Tuesday night. He forced a clerk to close and lock the doors. He forced an employee to empty the cash register and the store’s safe. He then ordered the clerks into the office, made them unplug all of the electronic devices in the office, made them sit down, begin counting, and then left the store on foot. The suspect is described as a black male, about 5’9″ weighing around 170 pounds. He was dressed in a black hooded shirt, black pants, black shoes with a white strip on the outside near the heels, and white gloves. He also had a black mask covering his face.

TYLER – Smith County authorities have identified a suspect in the theft of some bows from the Smith County 4-H Club. He is Billy Bob Willingham III, 24, of Tyler. He is accused of taking 19 bows from a shed on County Road 41 in the northern part of the county. The theft occurred over the Thanksgiving weekend. They are valued at nearly $5,000. Five of them have been recovered from a pawn shop. Willingham has been named in a felony warrant for theft of property.

KILGORE – A 16 year old student had to be removed from a Kilgore school campus today. The student was removed from the high school campus after bringing an unloaded gun to school. Students at the school alerted administrators, who found the student and both the student and gun were removed from the campus without incident. According to the school district, at no point were any students in danger. The student been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in a gun-free zone and taken to the Gregg County Juvenile Center.

TYLER – A newly-formed partnership is bringing the nation’s top cancer care to East Texas. It was announced Thursday that UT Health Northeast and MD Anderson Cancer Center will officially launch the UT Health Northeast MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2017. This brings to East Texas access to MD Anderson’s multi-disciplinary care, treatment innovations, standards of care and clinical trials. The hospitals’ cancer programs will be clinically and operationally integrated. They join six other healthcare institutions across the United States and three facilities in Brazil, Spain and Turkey. Continue reading Top Cancer Care Coming to East Texas